How to control number of html elements through php? - php

Question

I am working on a HTML code as shown below in which I want to control li tags through php code.
HTML Code:
<li class="vidlist-main__item cf">
</li>
<li class="vidlist-main__item cf">
</li>
<li class="vidlist-main__item cf">
</li>
<li class="vidlist-main__item cf">
</li>
php code:
<input type="text" name="no_articles_EN" style="width: 77.69px;height: 22px;" value="<?php if($data->{"no_articles_EN"}<>''){echo $data->{"no_articles_EN"};} ?>"> // Line#A
<input type="text" name="no_articles_FR" style="width: 77.69px;height: 22px;" value="<?php if($data->{"no_articles_FR"}<>''){echo $data->{"no_articles_FR"};} ?>"> // Line#B
At Line#A on php code above, let say if the value entered is 3(no_articles_EN), then li tags should be 3 as shown below:
HTML Code:
<li class="vidlist-main__item cf">
</li>
<li class="vidlist-main__item cf">
</li>
<li class="vidlist-main__item cf">
</li>
And if the value entered 2(no_articles_EN) then li tags should be 2 as shown below:
HTML Code:
<li class="vidlist-main__item cf">
</li>
<li class="vidlist-main__item cf">
</li>
Problem Statement:
I am wondering what changes I should make in the HTML code above so if no_articles_EN is 3/4/5 then li tags should be vice versa. I came with the following logic but I think I need to more in it.
<?php
if($data->{"no_articles_EN"}) // Let say when no_articles_EN is 3 then li tags should be 3.
{
?>
<li class="vidlist-main__item cf">
</li>
<li class="vidlist-main__item cf">
</li>
<li class="vidlist-main__item cf">
</li>
<?php
}
?>

Answer 1

If $data->no_articles_EN is an integer equal to the number of items you want. Which is what it appears to be you can use a simple for loop.
if the value entered is 3(no_articles_EN), then li tags should be 3
if the value entered 2(no_articles_EN) then li tags should be 2 as shown below:
I prefer the ALT PHP syntax when working with mixed content (PHP/HTML) it's just cleaner. But if you prefer the {...} by all means use that. The alt syntax uses a : and end{command}; instead of the {}. It's just easier to move the code around like this, easier to find the end tags etc.
<?php if($data->no_articles_EN): ?> // Let say when no_articles_EN is 3 then li
<?php for($i=0; $i<$data->no_articles_EN; ++$i): ?>
<li class="vidlist-main__item cf"></li>
<?php endFor; ?>
<?php endif; ?>
You shouldn't use the variable property syntax $data->{"no_articles_EN"} unless you really need it, as it reduces readability and adds complexity when it's not needed. That is mainly for things like this $data->{"no_articles_".$language} where you could have part of the property name as a variable.
Cheers!